Like a benign and beautiful sphinx, Lu Ping was revealing little of her rebellious nature as she reflected on her life, loves and literature.
The only hint of her conviction that stereotypes are there to be defied was probably her choice of attire. The fur-lined quilted jacket, leather trousers and brown boots did not seem to fit the image of a government official.
But Taiwan's new cultural envoy to Hong Kong, who arrived after a controversial 11-month wait for a work permit, is no ordinary diplomat. The 50-year-old novelist, playwright, former journalist and onetime honorary ambassador-at-large for Taiwan has a certain star quality, which becomes evident as soon as she faces the camera. After her arrival in Hong Kong, she surprised the media by holding a question-and-answer session while reclining on a sofa.
Perhaps it has something to do with her strict upbringing. As a child in a traditional Chinese family, she grew up preparing for womanhood in the traditional way. But her first love affair led to a clash with her parents. They objected to her having a boyfriend while she was studying psychology at National Taiwan University. Worse, they did not like the boyfriend. Just to be sure, they locked her up in her room, made unannounced checks and even read her diary.
In the end, it all became too much for the young woman. She took a drug overdose at her home, but was found by her parents and rushed to hospital, where she recovered.
Looking back, she describes the affair as merely 'puppy love'.
'When I looked back later, I was confused as to whether it was because I fell in love with him which led to my parents' objection, or whether I only fell in love with him because of my family's pressure.'